per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: per unit of population : by or for each person

the highest income per capita of any state in the union

2

: equally to each individual

Synonyms of per capita

• a shot
• each
• per
• a pop

Examples of per capita in a Sentence

we expect the students to receive less funding per capita this year due to a marked increase in the school-age population

Recent Examples on the Web

By the mid-19th century, Americans were patenting innovations at a rate several times that of Britain’s per capita rate. —David H. Hsu, Fortune, 11 May 2026

Black consumers outspend nearly every other demographic on beauty products per capita, and the market built around their needs is projected to nearly triple in value by 2034. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 May 2026

Howard County, which is smaller, spends dramatically more per capita on fire protection and EMS infrastructure. —Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026

In a new report from MovingPlace, Atlanta neighborhoods made up five of the top ten areas of the state that experienced the most newcomers per capita in the month of April. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈkap-ət-ə 

: by or for each person

per capita income

Legal Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: equally to each individual

all property to pass to the descendants per capita

—used of a method of distributing an especially intestate estate compare per stirpes

Note: Per capita distribution of an estate provides each descendant with an equal share of the estate's assets regardless of the degree of his or her kinship. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., all receive equal shares.

2

: per unit of population : by or for each individual

a high per capita tax burden

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads